Downtown Kitchener shoppers have a new spot to discover the latest in men’s fashion at Walper Mercantile. Located on the ground floor of the Walper Hotel, at 1 King St. W., Walper Mercantile opened in September 2024 and offers a mix of made-in-Canada clothing and curated vintage items.
Walper Mercantile is the second downtown business for owner Adam Zrebiec. He opened Barber & Craft on Ontario St., where he still serves clients today.
Opening Walper Mercantile gave Zrebiec the opportunity to apply his business experience to his passion for fashion and create another destination to attract people to the downtown core.
“There are so many hats to wear in a small business, but I was still yearning for a little bit more to expand on. There was definitely room for growth with the barber shop, but I felt maxed out there,” he said.
Zrebiec and his business partner wanted to create a retail space that would bring something new to the city.
With the closing of Loop Clothing’s physical store in Waterloo, he said there was a gap in the market for a men’s fashion store that primarily stocked Canadian-made goods.
With a vision in mind, Zrebiec worked with his business partner to look for available spaces. At the time, a few units were available for rent at the Walper Hotel, but he said they were not ready to sign a lease just yet.
“The retail experience I have is very minuscule, so this was completely new territory for me. I operate more from my heart and just dive into things, figuring it out as I go. I realize it can be challenging, but at the same time, I think we have all the right tools at our fingertips to be successful,” he said.
After spending a few months focusing on Barber & Craft, Zrebiec returned to the clothing store idea and found that only one unit was left.
Luckily for Zrebiec, it was the unit that had caught his eye when they first started looking at spaces.
“We’re in the old Walper Tobacco Shop, which has such great character and history. We’re only the second tenant here in over 130 years,” he said.
The space features unique brick arches and woodwork that have remained untouched for decades.
Instead of a modern renovation, Zrebiec has repurposed the space to recognize its role in downtown Kitchener’s history.
“The layout of the space was pretty much established, and we had a rough idea of how we could use the elements in here. One example is converting the walk-in humidor to be our boot room,” he said.
Walper Mercantile has a rotating selection of seasonal clothing and year-round staples.
They include goods from Canadian retailers on their shelves, including Anian, atelier b, Naked and Famous, and Canada West Boots. Zrebiec said the brands and products are chosen for people looking for something between casual and formal.
“It’s still a wide range. We have plain white tees to pleated trousers. All of them are produced in Canada by companies that are known for their workmanship,” Zrebiec said.
For people who are new to the brands carried at Walper Mercantile, Zrebiec offers personal shopping appointments.
“We offer a free appointment for someone who’s looking to come in and test the waters. It’s my way of feeling out what someone is looking for and how much assistance they may need. We also offer paid appointments that are a little more in-depth for customers who are looking to redefine themselves,” he said.
As the summer festival season begins and more people walk the streets of downtown Kitchener, Zrebiec said he hopes Walper Mercantile will contribute to the core’s ongoing evolution.
“Anyone who is on the ground here is aware of all the great businesses and services that we have. Downtown is definitely moving in the right direction to have the energy to bring more people from here.”
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